CN112930279A

CN112930279A - Charging network for unmanned aerial vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN112930279A
Application number: CN201980049145.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 德蒙·韦特利; 帕特里克·塞纳托雷
Original assignee: Bim Global Inc
Current assignee: Bim Global Inc; Beam Global
Priority date: 2018-07-24
Filing date: 2019-05-28
Publication date: 2021-06-08
Also published as: US10843819B2; EP3826881A1; EP3826881A4; WO2020023108A1; US20200031497A1

Abstract

A network is provided for charging aerial drones during extended flight operations without returning to a centralized charging station. Furthermore, an autonomous charging station is provided which is self-sufficient by using the power of the renewable energy source located on the station. In operation, a conical socket is mounted on the drone and a conical probe is provided at the charging station. The probe is connected to a renewable energy source. By this connection, an engagement for charging the battery of the drone is achieved when the apex of the probe is received through the open base of the socket to place the electrical connector on the probe in contact with the battery of the drone.

Description

Charging network for unmanned aerial vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for charging battery-powered aerial drones. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method that extends the operational mission capabilities of an airborne drone beyond the flight endurance capabilities of its battery. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a network of autonomous charging stations, each autonomous charging station being self-sufficient with its own renewable energy source and being deployed individually to allow charging of the aerial drone's battery during long distances of the aerial drone and/or repeated flight operations within an extended operating area, without the need to return to a centralized charging station.

Background

Battery powered vehicles are becoming more and more common every day. In particular, aerial drones have become a focus of attention for many different roles. One such use involves the use of aerial drones to transport and transport cargo.

In addition to the potential of using battery-powered aerial drones as cargo transport vehicles, there remains a need to address the commercial feasibility of making this capability effective. These problems include the following facts: batteries for aerial drones need to be as light as possible and require optimal long-range operational durability. Indeed, battery durability is a key consideration in determining the lifting and transport capabilities of aerial drones.

For long haul cargo transportation, the solution to the problems involved in charging an aerial drone is somewhat similar to the fueling problems encountered with ground transportation vehicles. That is, just like trucks and trains that need to be refueled, aerial drones also need to properly access the charging station network. However, in inconvenient locations where power is not readily or readily available, it is effective to deploy charging stations in the network that may be required to charge airborne drones.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a network of independent self-sufficient autonomous charging stations, wherein each charging station has its own renewable energy source. It is another object of the present invention to provide a network of autonomous charging stations that are deployed independently to allow charging of the battery of aerial drones during long distance and/or repetitive flight operations. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system/method for operating a battery-powered aerial drone for long-distance and extended persistent operational tasks that is easy to install, easy to use and cost-effective.

Disclosure of Invention

A network for operating a battery-powered aerial drone according to the present invention includes a plurality of autonomous charging stations. With the present invention, the charging stations are independently located at predetermined stations dispersed in the operation area. It is important that each charging station is at a distance from at least one other charging station that is less than the flight range of an aerial drone using the network.

As envisaged by the present invention, each charging station will include a probe mounted at its station, together with a power supply and a transmitter. In operation, the power supply is linked with an electrical connector on the probe that will establish electrical contact between the power supply and the battery of the aerial drone when the probe is engaged with the drone. After the drone's battery is charged, the drone will disengage from the probe and continue to use the fully charged battery to perform its task. Preferably, the power supply at the charging station will be a solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells. Furthermore, as contemplated by the present invention, the solar panels may be supplemented by wind turbines. In this combination, just like a solar panel, the wind turbine can be connected to the electrical connector of the probe for charging the battery of the drone.

With the present invention, the mechanism for engaging an aerial drone with a probe at a charging station includes a tapered socket mounted on the drone, and a tapered probe located at the charging station. In detail, the socket on the drone is envisaged as a hollow conical structure with a base and an open apex. When installed on a drone, the open apex of the conical receptacle is positioned to establish access to the battery through the conical base. Structurally, the tapered probe is complementary to a tapered socket on the drone. Thus, when the probe is engaged with (i.e. received into) the socket of the drone, electrical contact may be established between the power supply and the battery of the drone.

Operation of the network system requires the establishment of base stations in which the system controller may be located. Specifically, the controller at the base station will control the flight operation of the aerial drone and will also monitor the charging capacity of the individual power supplies of the various charging stations in the network system. To this end, the controller uses a transceiver at the base station that is communicatively connected to a transceiver on the drone. The transceiver is also communicatively connected to a plurality of transmitters each located at a charging station in the network. Within this communication network, the controller may receive flight information from the drone and operational information from the charging station. In particular, flight information data received from the aerial drone is used to fly the drone, and also to inform the base station of the remaining battery power of the drone. On the other hand, the operational data from the charging station will include information about the current charging capacity of the power supply source and information about whether another aerial drone is currently being charged. Further, the operational information will include the altitude and GPS location of each charging station.

Also, within the capabilities of the network system, the drone may always communicate directly with the charging station. The charging station may then collect flight information from the drones to retransmit the flight information to a Network Operations Center (NOC). In addition, the drone may also communicate directly with the NOC or directly with the base station. In any event, the network system may collect and appropriately use information from the drones.

For an extended application of the invention, it is envisaged that the charging station may be located offshore at a marine site for incorporation into the network system, particularly when used at a marine site, the charging station will need to be stabilized in some way to establish a substantially fixed location platform for the charging station. For example, the platform may be stabilized by any means well known in the relevant art for this purpose, such as a tower, anchor or a plurality of micro-thrusters controlled by GPS. In all important respects, the charging station at an offshore site will be substantially similar to the land-based charging station disclosed herein.

As contemplated by the present invention, multiple airborne drones may be operated simultaneously in a network system. Accordingly, the charging station may be configured to include a plurality of probes mounted in an array. Thus, the charging station can accommodate multiple aerial drones simultaneously, as with the probe in the array at the charging station.

Drawings

The novel features of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the invention itself, will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

fig. 1 is a functional schematic diagram of basic components in a network system for charging an aerial drone according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a representative view of an extended operating area with components of the present invention deployed for aerial drone flight operations; and

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an operating area showing communication links established between a Network Operations Center (NOC) and drones, charging centers, and base stations in the operating area.

Detailed Description

Referring initially to fig. 1, a network for controlling a cargo transportation and delivery system in accordance with the present invention is shown and generally designated 10. As shown, the network 10 includes a rotary wing aerial drone 12 of the type well known in the relevant art. Also shown as components of the network 10 are a charging station 14 and a base station 16. As contemplated by the present invention, the network 10 may house a plurality of aerial drones 12 and may include a number of charging stations 14, such as the exemplary charging stations 14a-d shown in fig. 2. Further, although not shown, the network 10 may also house a plurality of base stations 16, where each base station 16 will be used to control a particular aerial drone 12.

Referring to fig. 1, it will be seen that the aerial drone 12 will include a battery 18 and a transceiver 20. The drone 12 will also include a cargo bay 22 in which items to be transported by the drone 12 may be secured during flight operations. Further, depending on the design of a particular drone 12, the drone 12 will have at least one rotor 24, but likely multiple rotors 24. Further, although not shown, it is contemplated that structures may be incorporated with the drone 12 in place of or in addition to the cargo bay 22, which may be incorporated into the design of the aerial drone 12 to increase loads (e.g., sling load capability). In any event, an important structure for the drone 12 for purposes of the present invention is the receptacle 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle 26 is a conical structure defining a base and an apex. Importantly, the receptacle 26 is a hollow cone having an open base and an open apex. For the purposes of the present invention, the receptacle 26 is mounted on the drone 12 with its open apex positioned to establish access to the battery 18 through the conical receptacle 26. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the receptacle 26 may be factory installed or retrofitted. Thus, the receptacle 26 need not be dedicated to a particular type of aerial drone 12.

Still referring to fig. 1, the charging station 14 is shown to include a tapered probe 28. In particular, probe 28 is shaped complementary to tapered socket 26. With these similar conical structures, the probe 28 at the charging station 14 can be plugged into the conical receptacle 26 on the drone 12 for the charging operation. The electrical connection between tapered probe 28 and tapered socket 26 may be conductive or inductive, as contemplated by the present invention.

Structurally, probe 28 includes an electrical connector 30 positioned at the apex of probe 28. Further, the charging station 14 includes a power supply 34 linked with the electrical connector 30 of the probe 28 for charging the battery 18 of the drone 12 when the probe 28 is plugged into the socket 26 on the drone 12. Preferably, the power supply source 34 will be a renewable energy source, such as a solar cell pack or a wind turbine. In any case, the power supply 34 is contemplated to be self-sufficient, and thus the charging station 14 will be substantially autonomous.

Also shown in fig. 1 is the charging station 14 provided with a transmitter 32. In addition, the charging station 14 will typically include a battery 35, which battery 35 will store excess energy from the renewable energy source as needed. It may also include at least one virtual probe (not shown) that is electrically inert and serves as a waiting position where the drone 12 may remain at a minimum power requirement until the active probe 28 is available for charging operations.

As described above, the network 10 of the present invention includes at least one base station 16. For the present invention, the base station 16 will include a controller 36 and a transceiver 38. In particular, for operation of the network 10, the transceiver 38 at the base station 16 will communicate with the transceiver 20 on the aerial drone 12 and with the transmitter 32 at each charging station 14. More specifically, the transceiver 38 located at the base station 16 will receive flight information data from the airborne drone 12, including information and data (e.g., air speed, altitude, heading, and remaining battery power) needed to fly the drone 12. The transceiver 38 will also receive operational information from each charging station 14. In particular, the operational information will include information about the current charging capacity of the power supply 34, as well as information about whether another aerial drone 14 is currently being charged at the charging station 14. In this regard, it should also be appreciated that prior to performing the operational tasks, the base station 16 will be provided with information regarding the altitude and GPS location of each autonomous charging station 14 within the operating area 40 of the drone 12 (see fig. 2).

In addition to the components disclosed above for the network 10, other ancillary considerations are contemplated by the present invention. One of these, an anchor (not shown) may be required to stabilize the probe 28 at the autonomous charging station 14. For another ancillary consideration, it is also contemplated that the charging station 14 may include a plurality of probes 28 to be mounted in an array for simultaneously housing the same plurality of aerial drones 12 during charging operations. In addition, the charging station 14 will be protected by appropriate security measures that will provide an electronic/audio warning when the equipment at the charging station 14 is broken or tampered with. In operation of the network 10, the base station 16 is established at any convenient location where it will be able to control the mission of flight of the drone 12. As contemplated by the present invention, the task will be pre-planned and will be limited to within the predetermined operating region 40. In particular, the operating area 40 will be determined by the location of the various drop points 42a-c at which delivery of the cargo is scheduled. For example, fig. 2 shows a planned flight path 44 (dashed line) required by the drone 12 to deliver cargo to the drop points 42 a-c. Furthermore, for purposes of this disclosure, it is contemplated that the planned route of the flight path 44 is beyond the operating range of the drone 12.

For the above exemplary task, the aerial drone 12 is loaded with cargo. Preferably this will be done at the base station 16, but the loading may be done elsewhere. In any event, the drone 12 then leaves the base station 16 and flies to a first drop point 42a where the drone 12 may be removed from the cargo and/or may be loaded with additional cargo previously approved. The drone 12 then flies to a second drop point 42b where the cargo may again be transported and/or picked up at the second drop point 42 b. In this example, after leaving the drop point 42b, the controller 36 at the base station 16 is notified that the charge on the battery 18 of the drone 12 is low and requires charging. Thus, the drone 12 lands at the charging station 14 c.

At the charging station 14c, the drone 12 is hovered over a probe 28 at the charging station 14c using guidance and control techniques well known in the relevant art. The drone 12 is then lowered onto the probe 28 as the tapered probe 28 is received into the tapered socket 26 of the drone 12. When the drone 12 has been lowered onto the probe 28, the electrical connector 30 on the probe 28 makes contact with the battery 18 of the drone 12. Once the drone 18 has been charged, the drone 12 ascends to hover over the detector 28, and then takes off to complete its mission along the flight path 44. As shown in the exemplary task, the drone 12 makes another stop at the drop point 42c before returning to the base station 16. The drone 12 may then be reloaded and sent to another task. An additional feature of the present invention is the incorporation of a Network Operations Center (NOC) 46. In general, the NOC46 is incorporated to establish communication with all charging stations 14(a-d), base stations 16 and any drone 12 within the operating area 40. Further, the NOC46 may be selectively connected with drones 12' from outside the operating area 40. NOC46 may also be connected to other base stations 16' in other operating areas (not shown).

In its operation, the NOC46 maintains up-to-date/real-time information regarding the status and availability of each autonomous charging station 14 in the operating area 40. It also maintains operational data from the autonomous charging stations 14 regarding the current charging capacity of its power supply 34, as well as information regarding whether the aerial drone(s) 12 are currently being charged at a particular charging station 14. Further, the NOC46 maintains a schedule in the operating area 40 that maintains each charging station 14. Specifically, the schedule will include pre-scheduled charging and charging times at the various charging stations 14, along with their available, excess charging capacity.

The schematic diagram of the communication connections used in the operation of the network 10 of the present invention shown in fig. 3 will be best understood with reference to the intended environment shown in fig. 2. Referring to both fig. 2 and 3, it can be seen that to accomplish the above functionality, the NOC46 is connected with the drones 12, charging stations 14(a-d), and base stations 16 in the operating area 40. Further, it will be seen that the drone 12 may communicate directly with the charging station 14. It can also be seen that the NOC46 can be in communicative contact with the drone 12' entering the operating area 40, but under the operational control of a separate base station 16' having its own operating area 40' (not identified). It is here meant that the operating regions 40 and 40' may overlap each other.

Still referring to fig. 3, it should be understood that for typical operation of the network 10, the drone 12 will communicate with both the charging station 14 (e.g., charging station 14c) and its base station 16. Through these connections, the drone 12 may obtain all the information needed to use the charging station 14 c.

On the other hand, a drone 12 'operated by a separate base station 16' but not in direct communication with the charging station 14c will also be able to obtain this same information. In particular, if the base station 16' is in contact with the NOG 46, the drone 12' may receive information about the charging station 14c from its base station 16 '. Otherwise, if it is not in contact with its base station 16', the drone 12' may receive information directly from the NOG 46. In any event, the purpose of the NOG 46 is to be a point of information of operation of the charging station 14 within one or more operating areas 40. To this end, the NOG 46 maintains information about the availability and capacity of each charging station 14. On the other hand, the NOG 46 also maintains contact with each drone 12 or drone 12' in terms of its whereabouts, healthy operating conditions, temperature, weight, battery condition, and flight durability. In other words, the NOG 46 is provided to integrate this information in order to simultaneously monitor the overall operation of the drone 12 and the charging station 14 in one or more operating areas 40.

As shown in fig. 2, another embodiment of the invention is contemplated wherein the charging station 14e may be located on an offshore platform 48 at an offshore station above the surface of a body of water such as the sea 50. Specifically, the charging station 14e will be operatively and functionally incorporated into the network system 10 in the same manner as disclosed above for the charging stations 14 a-d. However, when used at a marine site, the charging station 14e will necessarily need to stabilize to establish a substantially stationary state for the charging station. This may be accomplished by any of several means well known in the relevant art. For example, the platform 48 may be stabilized on a tower (not shown), it may be anchored in place in some manner, or the charging station 14e may include a plurality of micro-propellers controlled by GPS. Thus, an aerial drone 12 operating from a charging station 14e will be able to expand the operating area 40 to launch points 42 on various locations (i.e., vessels) on the sea 50.

While the particular drone charging network as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein described, it is to be understood that it is merely exemplary of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims. .

Claims

1. A network system for operating a battery-powered aerial drone in an operating area, comprising:

an aerial drone having at least one rotor assembly and a battery for driving the rotor assembly;

a hollow conical receptacle having a base and an open apex, wherein the receptacle is mounted on the drone, the open apex of the receptacle being positioned to establish access to the battery through the conical base;

a conical probe having an apex, wherein the probe is located at a predetermined land site in the operating area and is vertically oriented with the apex of the probe above the base of the probe at the site, and wherein the probe includes an electrical connector positioned at the apex of the probe; and

a power supply linked with the electrical connector of the probe that charges the battery of the drone when the probe is plugged into the socket of the drone to establish electrical contact between the supply and the battery of the drone.

2. The network system of claim 1, further comprising: a base station for controlling flight operations of the drone, wherein the probe and the power supply are co-located at the predetermined land site to establish an autonomous charging station, and wherein the autonomous charging station includes a transceiver for transmitting operational data to the base station.

3. The network system according to claim 2, wherein the power supply source includes:

a solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and

a wind turbine.

4. The network system of claim 2, further comprising:

a transceiver mounted on the aerial drone;

a transceiver at the base station for receiving flight information data from the aerial drone; and

a controller at the base station for flying the aerial drone using the flight information data.

5. The network system of claim 2, further comprising: a Network Operations Center (NOC), wherein the NOC communicates with all charging stations within the operating area and selectively connects with any drone and any base station inside/outside the operating area.

6. The network system of claim 5, wherein the NOC maintains up-to-date/real-time information about flight information from drones, about the status and availability of each autonomous charging station in the operating area, along with operational data from the autonomous charging stations about the current charging capacity of the power supply source and information about whether an aerial drone is currently being charged.

7. The network system of claim 6, wherein the NOC maintains a schedule for charging stations in the operating area, wherein the schedule includes pre-planned charging and charging times along with available excess charging capacity for each charging station, wherein an altitude and GPS location are established for each autonomous charging station, and wherein the charging stations include multiple probes mounted in an array for housing the same multiple aerial drones simultaneously.

8. The network system of claim 2, further comprising: an anchor for stabilizing the probe at the autonomous charging station.

9. The network system of claim 2, wherein the operating area comprises a body of water, and the network system further comprises a platform located at an offshore site of the body of water, wherein an autonomous charging station is established on the platform, and wherein the autonomous charging station on the platform comprises a transceiver for transmitting operating data to the base station.

10. The network system of claim 9, further comprising: means for stabilizing the platform at the offshore site, wherein the stabilizing means is selected from the group consisting of a tower, an anchor, and a plurality of micro-thrusters controlled by GPS.

11. A network system for operating a battery-powered aerial drone, comprising:

an aerial drone having a battery and a transceiver;

a plurality of autonomous charging stations, wherein at least one autonomous charging station is located solely at a predetermined land site and comprises a probe mounted at the site with a power supply and a transmitter, wherein when the probe is engaged with the drone, the power supply links with an electrical connector on the probe to establish electrical contact between the power supply and the battery of the drone to charge the battery of the drone.

A base station having a controller with a transceiver for receiving flight information from the aerial drone and operation information from the autonomous charging station, wherein the flight information data is for flying the aerial drone and the operation data includes information on a current charging capacity of the power supply source and information on whether another aerial drone is currently being charged, and

a Network Operations Center (NOC) in communication connection with the aerial drone, wherein the NOC is also in communication with all charging stations within the operating area and selectively connects with any drone and any base station inside/outside the operating area to provide overall control of the network system.

12. The network system of claim 11, further comprising:

a hollow conical receptacle having a base and an open apex, wherein the receptacle is mounted on the drone, the open apex of the receptacle being positioned to establish access to the battery through the base of the conical receptacle; and

a tapered probe, wherein the apex of the probe is above a base of the probe when the probe is vertically oriented at the station, and further wherein the probe includes an electrical connector positioned at the apex of the probe that establishes electrical contact between the power supply and the battery of the drone when the probe is engaged with the receptacle of the drone.

13. The network system of claim 11, wherein the power supply source is selected from the group consisting of a solar panel and a wind turbine, and wherein each autonomous charging station is identified by an altitude and a GPS location.

14. The network system of claim 11, further comprising: an array having a plurality of active probes and at least one virtual probe, wherein the active probes are positioned in the array for simultaneously charging a same plurality of aerial drones, and the at least one virtual probe is positioned to provide a waiting point for drones waiting in line for charging.

15. The network system of claim 11, further comprising:

a platform positioned at an offshore site, an

An autonomous charging station established on the platform, wherein the autonomous charging station comprises a transceiver for transmitting operational data to the base station.

16. A method for installing a network system to operate a battery-powered aerial drone, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a base station, the base station comprising: a transceiver for receiving flight information data from the aerial drone; and a controller for using the flight information data to fly the aerial drone;

locating at least one autonomous charging station at a preselected ground station, wherein the charging station comprises a probe, a self-sufficient power supply, and a transmitter, wherein when the drone is engaged with the probe, the probe is linked with the power supply to charge the battery of the drone, and wherein the transmitter is to transmit operational data to the base station, the operational data regarding a current charging capacity of the power supply at the charging station and regarding whether another drone is currently being charged at the charging station; and

providing a Network Operations Center (NOC), wherein the NOC communicates with all charging stations within the operating area and selectively connects with any drone and any base station inside/outside the operating area via charging stations, and the NOC maintains up-to-date/real-time information about the status and availability of each autonomous charging station in the operating area, as well as operational data from the autonomous charging stations about the current charging capacity of the power supply and information about whether an airborne drone is currently being charged.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the drone includes a hollow conical receptacle to establish access to the battery; and wherein the probe is tapered for engagement with the socket to charge the battery of the drone when the tapered socket on the drone is engaged with the tapered probe.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the power supply is selected from the group consisting of a solar panel and a wind turbine.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

identifying each autonomous charging station using altitude and GPS location; and

providing an array having a plurality of probes mounted in an array for simultaneously receiving a same plurality of aerial drones.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

positioning a platform at an offshore site on a body of water; and

establishing an autonomous charging station on the platform, wherein the autonomous charging station comprises a transceiver for transmitting operational data to the base station.